A collaborative stormwater drainage project between Jim Thorpe borough and Carbon Career and Technical Institute aims to address long standing issues on 13th Street.

The flooding problems, officials said, stem from deteriorated drainage pipes that have collapsed in key areas, including under a residential driveway.

“In order to establish the school, they built a driveway up to the property and put in drainage pipe underneath it,” Councilman Mike Yeastedt said “They had property between the driveway and North Street that they sold off and now have houses on it. They put another piece of pipe in and connected that to an inlet that crosses 13th Street and it goes down behind the machine shop.”

Over time, Yeastedt said, the galvanized iron pipes corroded, and sections of the drainage system completely collapsed. The issue led to water pooling and potentially hazardous conditions, especially during heavy rains.

The borough and CCTI have developed a plan to replace the collapsed pipes and install additional drainage infrastructure. Under the agreement, CCTI will cover the cost of materials, estimated at $19,985. The borough, in turn, will provide the necessary labor and equipment, projected at $39,995.92. The total cost of the project is estimated at $59,980.92.

The project’s scope includes replacing drainage pipes on CCTI property, residential properties, and public roadways. “The first part of the pipe is on CCTI property, the second part is on residential property, and the third part crosses a public right of way,” Yeastedt said. “We’ll also be replacing a deteriorated brick-lined inlet and addressing drainage issues caused by a spring near 13th Street.”

Addressing the spring’s runoff, he added, is a critical part of the project.

“In winter, the spring creates thick ice on the street, posing safety risks,” Yeastedt said. “Borough employees have to go up and constantly salt it.”

The proposed solution involves installing additional inlets to capture the water and channel it into the stormwater system.

“If everyone is on board,” borough manager Maureen Sterner told council, “you’ll need a motion to proceed based on the current plan.”